Patents Assigned to L-3 Communications
  • Systems and methods for enhanced carrier suppression
    Patent number: 8787498
    Abstract: Included are embodiments for enhanced carrier suppression. One embodiment of a circuit includes a mixer that receives a cover sequence, the cover sequence including transition data from a first signal and a second signal. The mixer may be configured to generate a modulated cover sequence by modulating a radio frequency (RF) carrier with the cover sequence. Some embodiments also include a modulator that is communicatively coupled to the mixer. The modulator may be configured to receive and modulate an altered version of the first signal and an altered version of the second signal. The modulator may additionally receive the modulated cover sequence as an RF carrier input and generate an RF output by modulating the modulated cover sequence with the altered version of the first signal and the altered version of the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Cincinnati Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Dapore, Robert Hayes, Greg Rupp
  • DUAL ENERGY IMAGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140198899
    Abstract: An inspection system that makes dual energy measurements with a detector array that has selective placement of filter elements adjacent a subset of detectors in the array to provide at least two subsets of detector elements sensitive to X-rays of different energies. Dual energy measurements may be made on objects of interest within an item under inspection by forming a volumetric image using measurements from detectors in a first of the subsets and synthetic readings computed from measurements made with detectors in the array, including those that are filtered. The volumetric image may be used to identify the objects of interest to and source points that, for each object of interest, provide a low interference path to one of the detectors in the second of the subsets. Measurements made with radiation emanating from those source points are used for dual energy analysis of the objects of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Vitaliy Ziskin, Boris Oreper
  • Adaptive filtering for canceling leaked transmit signal distortion from a received RF signal in an RF transceiver
    Patent number: 8780963
    Abstract: Adaptive filtering is used to substantially cancel distortion in radio frequency (RF) signals. Such adaptive filtering can be used in an RF transmitting device to pre-compensate an RF signal with compensation (inverse) distortion to cancel inherent transmission path distortion from the RF signal. Adaptive filtering can also be used in a multi-carrier RF receiving device to cancel from a given carrier signal distortion due to cross talk from adjacent carrier signals. Adaptive filtering in an RF transceiver can be used to cancel from a received RF signal distortion arising from leakage of a transmit signal into the receive path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corp.
    Inventors: Osama S. Haddadin, Roy Prymek, William K. McIntire
  • Moving-entity detection
    Patent number: 8779965
    Abstract: A stepped-frequency radar signal is transmitted through a barrier. A transmitter of the stepped-frequency radar is on a first side of the barrier, a first object is on a second side of the barrier, and a second object that is distinct from the first object is on the second side of the barrier. A signal including a reflection of the transmitted signal from the first object and a reflection of the transmitted signal from the second object is sensed. The sensed signal is analyzed to determine that a first detection is associated with the first object and a second detection is associated with a second object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: L-3 Communications CyTerra Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Gary Sentelle, Donald Wright, Felix M. Fontan, Juan Antonio Torres-Rosario
  • Systems And Methods For Providing Optical Signals Through A RF Channel Of A Rotary Coupler
    Publication number: 20140193159
    Abstract: Optical and RF energy may be provided simultaneously or otherwise across a rotary coupler using separate communication paths. The rotary coupler may be provided with an optical transmission line that passes inside or through the center of an inner conductor of a coaxial RF transmission line that itself extends across the rotational interface/s of the rotary coupler. Both the optical transmission line and the RF transmission line may be positioned at, or close to, the axis of rotation of the rotary coupler. The rotary coupler may be configured to transfer optical and RF energy across rotational interface/s of the rotary coupler using an optical rotary joint positioned inside the inner conductor of a RF channel transmission line that itself is substantially centered at, and in line with, the rotational axis of the rotary coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Webster Jones, James Edward Baloun
  • Systems And Methods For Implementing Optical And RF Communication Between Rotating And Stationary Components Of A Rotary Sensor System
    Publication number: 20140193149
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for implementing a rotary sensor system including rotating system components in RF signal and optical signal communication with stationary system components through a rotary coupler. The rotary coupler may be provided with an optical transmission line that passes inside or through the center of an inner conductor of a coaxial RF transmission line that itself extends across the rotational interface/s of the rotary coupler such that optical and RF signal energy may be provided simultaneously or otherwise across the rotary coupler using separate communication paths. A rotary sensor system may be further configured to convert multiple signals and/or types of signals to a common multiplexed optical signal stream for transmission together across an on-axis rotational optical interface of the rotary coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Webster Jones, James Edward Baloun
  • Conformal lens-reflector antenna system
    Patent number: 8773319
    Abstract: A conformal lens-reflector antenna system in which a radio frequency (RF) reflector is disposed in a depression in a raised portion of a dielectrical RF lens. The RF reflector can be shaped to reflect RF signals between an RF feed path to the lens and a body of the lens that extends generally laterally away from the raised portion. RF signals having a frequency within a resonant frequency range of the lens can be directed along the RF feed path to the reflector, which can reflect the RF signals into the body of the lens from which the RF signals can radiate. Similarly, RF signals in the resonant frequency range of the lens in space near the lens can resonate in the lens, and the reflector can reflect those signals down the RF feed path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corp.
    Inventors: Trevis D. Anderson, Heather M. Harrison, Brian M. Wynn, Douglas H. Ulmer
  • VEHICLE-MOUNTED CARGO INSPECTION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140185753
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a mobile cargo inspection system mounted on a vehicle chassis type which does not include rails that extend from near the front of the vehicle to near the back. As such, detection components may be placed between the front and rear axles of the vehicle without penetrating radiation having to pass through a chassis rail before reaching the cargo to be inspected. As a result, the weight of the vehicle-mounted cargo inspection system may be more evenly distributed from the front of the vehicle to the back, and from one side of the vehicle to the other, thus making the system easier to operate, safer, and less costly to maintain than conventional systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarfraz Azmi, Jasper Bogosian, JR., John J. Reilly, Randy Barnby
  • ADAPTIVE TRAINING SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20140186810
    Abstract: A system and method for training a student employ a simulation station that displays output to the student and receives input. The computer system has a rules engine operating on it and computer accessible data storage storing (i) learning object data including learning objects configured to provide interaction with the student at the simulation system and (ii) rule data defining a plurality of rules accessed by the rules engine. The rules data includes, for each rule, respective (a) if-portion data defining a condition of data and (b) then-portion data defining an action to be performed at the simulation station. The rules engine causes the computer system to perform the action when the condition of data is present in the data storage. For at least some of the rules, the action comprises output of one of the learning objects so as to interact with the student.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Falash, Eytan Pollak, Michael Barnoske
  • GENERATING A REPRESENTATION OF AN OBJECT OF INTEREST
    Publication number: 20140185756
    Abstract: A volumetric image of a space is acquired from an imaging system. The space includes an object of interest and another object, and the volumetric image includes data representing the object of interest and the other object. A two-dimensional radiograph of the space is acquired from the imaging system. The two-dimensional radiograph of the space includes data representing the object of interest and the other object. The two-dimensional radiograph and the volumetric image are compared at the imaging system. A two-dimensional image is generated based on the comparison. The generated two-dimensional image includes the object of interest and excludes the other object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Dean Foland
  • TETHERED PAYLOAD SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20140183300
    Abstract: A vehicle, especially a maritime vessel, is provided with an autogyro drawn by a tether. The tether contains mechanical strengthening components that enable it to securely retain the autogyro to the vehicle. The tether also contains two electrical conductors carrying different phases of AC power to the autogyro, and four optical fibers carrying optical data signals to and from the autogyro electronic payloads and avionics control circuitry. Signal converters at ends of the tether convert a wide range of electrical or wireless signals to optical data signals for transmission along the tether, and then back into the original electrical signal format for use by the autogyro or vehicle electronics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: David MacCulloch, Thomas Giorgi, Gregory S. Cote
  • Integrated avionics system
    Patent number: 8768540
    Abstract: There is provided an avionics system that provides several avionics functions within a single LRU. In one embodiment, the system comprises a software-configurable RF assembly, one or more processor assemblies that are configured to provide multiple TAWS/TCAS/Mode S/ADS-B/ATC functions, interfaces to allow connections to aircraft electronics and data loaders, and multipurpose antennas. In one embodiment, a common processor architecture allows generic avionics processors to be configured to operate a number of TAWS/TCAS/Mode S/ADS-B/ATC functions without the need for multiple LRUs, and software-defined RF functions allow RF circuitry that interfaces to the processors to handle current and future communication needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Cyro A. Stone, James R. Troxel, Gregory T. Stayton
  • Transitioned film growth for conductive semiconductor materials
    Patent number: 8765514
    Abstract: A center region of conductive material/s may be disposed or “sandwiched” between transition regions of relatively lower conductivity materials to provide substantially low defect density interfaces for the sandwiched material. The center region and surrounding transition regions may in turn be disposed or sandwiched between dielectric insulative material to form a sandwiched and transitioned device structure. The center region of such a sandwiched structure may be implemented, for example, as a device layer such as conductive microbolometer layer for a microbolometer detector structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corp.
    Inventors: Athanasios J. Syllaios, Michael F. Taylor, Sameer K. Ajmera
  • Enhanced methods of cellular environment detection when interoperating with timed interfers
    Patent number: 8767595
    Abstract: Techniques for performing analysis of a cellular telephone signaling environment in the presence of interferers. The techniques do the analysis by employing a receiver to listen to the cellular environment during holes in the interference. The holes have a timing which differs from that used by the cellular telephone signaling environment and will thus over time overlap with structures of interest in the cellular telephone environment. The holes may be smaller than the structure of interest. The signals which the receiver hears in the holes are analyzed and combined to reproduce the structure. The combination may involve statistical methods and weighted decoding. The analysis obtains information which permits surgical attacks on individual wireless devices which are in the traffic state. Example applications of the techniques are given for the GSM and CDMA cellular telephone standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventor: James D Haverty
  • Thermocentric alignment of elements on parts of an apparatus
    Patent number: 8760187
    Abstract: A first device and a second device can include at least one alignment feature and at least one corresponding constraint. The alignment feature and the constraint can be configured to align the first device and the second device when the alignment feature is inserted into the constraint. The alignment feature and the constraint can be further configured to direct relative movement between the first device and the second device due to relative thermal expansion or contraction between the first device and the second device. The directed relative movement can keep the first device and the second device aligned over a predetermined temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corp.
    Inventor: Eric D. Hobbs
  • Vehicle elevator systems and methods
    Patent number: 8757327
    Abstract: Ground-accessing elevator systems and methods are provided for transporting personnel between the ground level and one or more decks of multi-level vehicle such as a fixed-wing aircraft. The vehicle elevator systems and methods may be implemented using a multi-track guide rail system configured to guide an elevator car between the ground and two or more levels within a vehicle. The multi-track guide rail system may include an intra-vehicle track fixed to the vehicle structure and configured to guide the elevator car between decks of the vehicle, and a separate deployment track may be configured to telescope downward from the intra-vehicle guide rail track to guide the elevator car during deployment to the ground from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Integrated Systems LP
    Inventors: Wayne J. Ehlert, Michael G. Glenn, James R. Grimes, Loyd R. Hamilton, Christopher M. Jackson, Mark A. McCoy, Richard R. Pardun, Paul H. Peterson, Albert W. Ruggles, Scot A. Stephens
  • Methods for identifying wireless devices connected to potentially threatening devices
    Patent number: 8755770
    Abstract: Techniques for determining whether a cellular device is suspect, i.e., perhaps serving as an activator for a device such as a bomb. One way of doing this with cellular telephones that are in the idle state is to use a baiting beacon to bait and automatically call all the cellular telephones in an area that are in the idle state. If the call to a given cellular telephone is not answered by a human voice, the cellular telephone is suspect. Another way of doing this with cellular telephones that are in the traffic state is to use surgical analysis to examine the DTX pattern for the telephone. If it indicates persistent silence, the cellular telephone is suspect. The surgical analysis may also be used to trace the DTX pattern back to another telephone that is controlling the suspect cellular device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventor: James D Haverty
  • Distributed physics based training system and methods
    Patent number: 8751204
    Abstract: A distributed simulation system is composed of simulator stations linked over a network that each renders real-time video imagery for its user from scene data stored in its data storage. The simulation stations are each connected with a physics farm that manages the virtual objects in the shared virtual environment based on their physical attribute data using physics engines, including an engine at each simulation station. The physics engines of the physics farm are assigned virtual objects so as to reduce the effects of latency, to ensure fair fight requirements of the system, and, where the simulation is of a vehicle, to accurately model the ownship of the user at the station. A synchronizer system is also provided that allows for action of simulated entities relying on localized closed loop controls to cause the entities to meet specific goal points at specified system time points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Falash, Eytan Pollak, Yushan Chen, Jon Williams
  • Aircraft traffic display
    Patent number: 8736465
    Abstract: A system and method for displaying additional traffic information beyond that received from an ADS-B or other transponder communication. Such additional traffic information may be displayed on a display screen within a cockpit, and may include such things as an aircraft's make, model, manufacturer, or other information. The additional information may be displayed as text, or one or more pictures, icons, or symbols that correspond to this additional information, or any combination of text and such items. The additional information may be determined from one or more databases that correlate information received in the transponder communication to the additional information that is not contained within the transponder communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Avionics Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve M. Rutherford, Dennis Polischuk
  • Multipath delay calculator for a decision feedback equalizer
    Patent number: 8724690
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a decision feedback equalizer that implements a multipath delay calculator to determine the delay between a line-of-sight component of a received data signal and a reflection of the line-of-sight component. The determined delay is used to control when decisions are used within the decision feedback equalizer so that the appropriate decisions are delayed until the reflection is received. In this way, the reflection can be substantially removed from the data signal using decisions that were generated when the line-of-sight component was received. Because the correction window is limited to the time when the reflection is received, the number of taps required to perform equalization is greatly reduced resulting in a decision feedback equalizer with less circuitry or logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corp.
    Inventors: Teren G. Jameson, Zachary C. Bagley, Scott C. Smedley